David Stem and David Weiss, the writing team behind last year's The Smurfs, have been signed to write The Ringling Brothers for Paramount.

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, John Davis and his Davis Entertainment are producing, along with Adam Kolbrenner of Madhouse Entertainment.

Plot details are being kept secret but the studio says the project is being conceived as a family adventure in the spirit of Night at the Museum and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The Ringling Bros. were seven brothers who ended up creating one of the most successful and largest circuses in turn-of-the-20th century America. The circus was able to buy its nearest competitor, the equally famous Barnum & Bailey, and create what was billed as The Greatest Show on Earth. The circus remains popular and still tours today.

The movie's story will be set in the present day.

Stem and Weiss not only wrote the script for Smurfs (working on the story with Jay Scherick and David Ronn) but have also worked on the planned sequel, which is in development at Sony.

The kid-friendly writing team have credits that range from the Rugrats TV show to Shrek 2 to Daddy Day Camp.

Jennifer Wolfe is Director of News & Content at Animation World Network.